The Buffalo Bills are starting the 2022 season off with a win after they came back from 14 points down to win 27-24 over the Indianapolis Colts. In the first preseason game, the coaching staff elected to hold out their starters and this gave players on the second and third teams an opportunity to make an impact.
There were a number of players who took advantage of the extra playing time which may give the coaching staff something to think about ahead of their next depth chart and where these players fit on the roster.
5 Buffalo Bills who stood out against the Indianapolis Colts
Khalil Shakir
The top player that jumped out in the first preseason game was wide receiver Khalil Shakir. The rookie out of Boise State wasted no time making an impact as he caught a 25-yard pass from Case Keenum on the second play of the game.
He would go on to finish the game with five receptions on five targets for 92 yards. Shakir also had two punt returns for four yards.
There was some question about where Shakir fits in this offense, whether it is in the slot or at one of the outside wide receiver positions. However, that question may be changing from where to how the coaching staff fits Shakir into this offense.
He seems to be a player that just makes plays and the Bills may not be able to afford to keep him on the sideline. That impact may come as the team’s punt returner but by the end of the season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his role in the offense grow.